Morocco edged out Belgium 2-0 in their second 2022 World Cup Group F game at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.
As a result, the Atlas Lions moved to the top of Group F standings after the match day two, while the Red Devils find themselves son position two on the table.
The Atlas Lions looked rusty in the opening stages of the game-allowing the Belgians to create chances as they looked to grab an early goal against the North Africans.
Eden Hazard played a through pass for his Belgium teammate Amadou Onana in the 18th minute, but Morocco goalkeeper Monir El Kajoui reacted quickly and he snatched the ball away.
Kevin De Bruyne then sent Onana through on goal with a delightful pass five minutes later, but somehow the latter fired wide of the target as Poland survived a scare.
The Atlas Lions defender Achraf Hakimi had a rare chance a few minutes before the half-hour mark.
However, the highly-rated right-back placed his shot wide of the target without troubling Belgium shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois, who had a relatively quiet first-half.
Walid Regragui’s charges continued to waste more chances as the half drew to a close, this time Hakim Ziyech sending his powerful shot over from 10-yards box in the 38th minute.
Belgium tried to respond with an opener with the half-time break fast approaching, but the Morocco defence looked solid and impenetrable.
The Red Devils came back rejuvenated after their half-time team talk with Belgium coach Roberto Matinez.
They were awarded a free-kick in a promising area in the 49th minute and Jan Vertonghen stepped up, and forced Monir into a great diving save from the set-piece.
Morocco then went into the lead on the 70th minute as Sabiri’s free-kick from near the touchline, much like for Ziyech’s ruled out goal, caught out a flat-footed Courtois.
Belgium then took control of the match and they nearly pulled one back in the 78th minute when De Byuynes’ cross found Romelu Lukaku at the far post.
Morocco extended their lead in the 90th minute after a play by Ziyech created space in the area for Zakaria Aboukhlal to lash the Chelsea winger’s pull-back into the roof of the net.
How they lined-up:
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Meunier (Lukaku 81), Amadou Mvom Onana (Tielemans 60), Axel Witsel, Thorgan Hazard (Trossard 75), Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard (Mertens 60), Michy Batshuayi (De Ketelaere 75)
Morocco: Monir El Kajoui; Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Achraf Hakimi (Attia Allah 68), Selim Amallah (Sabiri 68), Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi (El Yamiq 78), Sofiane Boufal (Aboukhlal 73), Youssef En-Nesyri (Hamdallah 73), Hakim Ziyech
